Dear Folks at Home,

As today is Sunday and I have a little spare time I will send you a few lines before the close of the year. I hope you all have passed a very pleasant Christmas & wish you a happy New Year.

I received the things you sent to me & was very glad to receive them; I am sorry to say some of the articles were a little damaged. The cakes made me think of the last time I was at home when you were baking for Christmas; I suppose Ma remembers very well what an important part I performed in inspecting the majority of the pans full. The apples were very nice - also the part of the peaches I got.

Christmas was quite a dull day here & if it had not been for the "folks at home" we would hardly have known that it was a holiday. On Christmas our Brigade received about 8 wagon loads of Express packages & such a profusion of turkeys, chickens, ducks, cakes of all kinds, jellies, candies, apples &c I hardly expected to see on "Old Virginia".

We kept open until noon, I then passed the balance of the day over at the Regiment with Capt. France. I suppose I must give you a description of our Christmas dinner. Our drink was tea, sweetened to taste with white sugar & milk: good fresh bread, butter, 3 kinds of jellies, 4 kinds of cakes, mince & cherry pies, & candies. The day was very pleasant; clear but cold. I often thought of you all & wondered what you were doing. Part of the time I would have known where to have found you. I suppose Genie enjoyed himself with his cakes & candies? So much for that.

Today is a very disagreeable day indeed - it has been raining all the time since daylight & the prospect is that it will continue. I believe we are located for the greater part of the winter if Lee does not disturb us, which I think is very impossible. Our pickets are some distance beyond Culpepper along the banks of the Rapidan. There was some report of the Rebels having fallen back after making an attempt to advance their picket posts to this side of the River. Last week the 1st Army Corps moved to the front. I believe their head quarters are at Mitchell Station on the Orange & Alexandria R.R. A good many of the officers & soldiers think that the war will come to a close before next Christmas. I cannot see what they found their hopes upon; still I hope they are right. I think it depends a good deal on the laws that the congress now in session passes. What appears to be the severest blow on the Rebs "I think" was the last proclamation of the President, relating to the protection of all who would take the oath. What do people at home think of affairs at Charleston [South Carolina]? I sometimes think if [General Quincy A.] Gillmore has the city at his mercy it is almost time that the days of grace should stop. Still, if he can keep a large force there to watch him & by that means keep the Rebels from using those troops elsewhere he is doing what may in the end be for the best. You know how I used to talk about this army before I was a soldier: my opinion has changed quite materially since I am in it, not because I am in the Army of the Potomac, (for I would much rather be in the Southwest) but because I can see for myself what this army is for & what it really does; since the 126th Ohio has been here we have not met with a single defeat. Commence at Gettysburg & follow the history of this army up to the present time & it has been one success after another. Even the rebel papers admit that Lee has had his match in Gen Meade, & has been foiled in every attempt to surprise or flank him. I only hope the Blubber heads at Washington will leave Meade where he is. I have heard old soldiers in the army, who served under the great humbug "McCellan" say Meade has done more with the army & lost fewer men than any other commander it has ever had. Harrah for Meade & the Army of the Potomac. Where's Nipps? If I get home I think I could wet her feathers a little, half of the people at home don't know what the Army of the Potomac is or what it is for.

There is getting to be a good deal [of] sickness among the troops; some 4 or 5 have died out of our Brigade since we have been here.

As there is nothing of particular importance in the Military line I will now answer your letters more immediately; I think you got along first rate with your butchering. I suppose Genie had a good ride on the pig tails?

I am very much obliged to you for the Photograph of Julie. I think it is very good; he looks as if he had grown a foot since I last saw him. About my coming home I don't know. I am kept very busy now, & will have soon to commence making my Commissary Return to the Government, so that I do not see how I can get away as long as Lt. Lamb holds his present position, without acting very ____ by him, & that I will not do, if I never get home. I think I may possibly get to see you all sometime in the spring if nothing happens, but that's almost counting the chickens before the hen commences to sit.

I believe Capt. France is quite pleased with his watch, at least I have not heard him say anything about it.

Enclosed please find 3 half dollars one of which Addie, one Julie, & one Genie will please accept as a New Year Gift from me.

I must close hoping you are all well & will write often.

Your Son & Brother,
Rufus

Dear Folks at Home,

I shall this evening make an effort to send you a few lines in answer to your last very welcome letter.

It was a great gratification to know you were all enjoying pretty good health; notwithstanding the severity of the winter which by all accounts is the coldest that there has been for a long time.

It has been pretty cold here for the past two weeks; the ground has been thinly covered with snow for about 10 days, which is not very common in this part of Virginia.

My health has been quite good until within the last few days as I have taken some cold, I hope however that it will not last long. I have been & am still kept very busy closing out the accounts for December. I hope to get them done this week & then I will have more time to myself, for a few days. I do not get much time to run around, in fact I have not been half a mile from my tent with the exception of an occasional trip to the station - when I go to deposit Subsistence funds. I have only been over to the Regiment once since Christmas & that was on Sunday. There is nothing new that I know of in regards to this Army.

We are all trembling in our shoes for fear that we will be moved; as it appears to be the general impression we will not stay here; (that is the 3rd A.C.). Col. Smith thinks that if we go at all our Division will go to Harpers Ferry. It would be awful to go to winter on Maryland Heights.

The men are commencing to get sick. One in our Regiment died last week. His father came to try & get a furlough for him, but he was buried three day before he got here.

I suppose you are all aware of the fact that furlough are only granted to Veterans. So my coming home is indefinitely postponed. A good many of the officer's wives are here. It does a fellow good to see a nice lady once. What's the prospect of a draft in Tuscarawas? I think the motion of Mr. Howe to draft a million at once is the right kind of idea.

There will be about 400 reenlist out of this Brigade. Our Regiment & the 106th NY have not been in the service long enough.

By all reports we get, the great home patriots are awfully afraid they will be called to do something.

What is the selection for President? My opinion, together with a great many here, is that "Old Abe" is good for four years longer? I think he ought to be elected. What are the prospects of the Furnace being started again? Does it still belong to the Thomas firm?

Well, what do you think we had for breakfast & dinner today. Breakfast we had funnel cakes, dinner apple dumplings. Isn't that pretty stylish for soldiers. Then my light is giving out & I must stop - all the Dover boys are well I believe.

Best wishes to all.
I remain,
Your Son & Brother,
Rufus

Dear Folks at Home,

As I am alone in my tent I thought I would use the time in sending a few lines to the family.

It was a great pleasure to learn that you were all in tolerable good health. I was afraid from the letter before the last that Father was going to have a sick spell again.

I think it would be very advisable for him to quit watch work. Do you have any idea of getting a hand in the shop?

I have about gotten over the cold I spoke of in my last; but I think I have caught a fresh one.

The health of the Regiment is not as good as when we first came here. Two of our Regiment were buried last week. They had both been home the greater part of the summer, had hardly reached camp before they took sick, both had the Typhoid Fever. I have noticed that the majority of those that have been home on furlough have been sick since they came back to the Army.

In the military line, there is nothing of importance going on in this army. Picket duty is pretty hard on the men, as they have a great distance to go, through awful roads.

The weather for the past week has been very much like spring. It is surprising at the amount of clearing that has been going on since we first came here. Hundreds of acres of land has been stripped; we are almost out of the woods now. The great topic among the officers is the Grand Ball that is to come off this week. I believe there are some five or six hundred officers invited, of all ranks from Major Generals down to 2nd Lieutenants.[Editor's note: For a very colorful description of the Ball Rufus is referring to, read A Stillness at Appomattox, by Bruce Catton, Chapter I: Glory is out of Date].

Have you seen Lieut. Dingman? I guess he will find a pretty rough row to hoe when he gets back now, as he has staid a good while longer than the time granted him. [1st Lieutenant Andrew J. Dingman did not muster out with the Regiment, in fact the Roster of Ohio Troops has no record of what became of Lt. Dingman. Perhaps he never returned.]

Genie must indeed be a smart little fellow if he has commenced to spell already - does he know all his letters? When I get home I suppose he will not know me or I him.

I have not as yet received the cakes you last sent; but have heard that Capt. France had a package for me - will go over after dinner and get it. Yesterday I ate the last of the cakes you sent first and will probably eat the last of the apple today. I suppose Genie would have had them all gone long ago, if he is as fond of cakes as he used to be when he was a baby? What kind of music are you practicing for your concert? I should like to hear it & also to assist what little I could.

I suppose there is great rejoicing among those who have friends in the 51st Ohio. When are they expected home? ____ the whole Regiment reenlisted.

The name of our cook is "Grey" - he used to be a steamboat cook on the first class boats on the Mississippi River. He is hard to beat, although I believe he is pretty extravagant.

Well, I didn't have ice-cream last week but had plenty of excellent "egg-nogg" at three different times. It is a pretty expensive drink when eggs sell for 60 cents a dozen. I am very glad that there is a prospect of the furnace going into operation soon again. I hope they will meet with success. Is Mr. Charles Green one of the Proprietors?

Well, I guess I will have to stop writing as I have several reports to make out today. I will commence on my Commissary papers for this month tomorrow. I heard yesterday that Arthur's [VanVleck] name appeared in the papers among the lists of Union soldiers who had died at Richmond. It will be a hard blow on grandmother. Notwithstanding his curious ways I do not know of a single enemy that he had in the regiment.

My best wishes to all who may inquire after your affectionate son & Brother

Rufus

Dear Folks at Home,

I was this evening the recipient of your very welcome interesting long letter. I was very glad to hear that you are all in good health and are thankful that I can say the same in regards to myself.

My lines will have to be few this evening as we are on the eve of what may turn out to be great events & this day has no doubt been the last for many a poor soldier.

I was waked very early this morning (3 A.M.) as marching orders came for the regiment to be ready to move at 7 o'clock. There was a good deal of speculation as to our destiny; some supposing that we were going West, & some that Texas was the place. I drew and issued 1 days rations, & as the order was that the men were to have only this with them I at once came to the conclusion, that it was some kind of a move of this army. The boys waited patiently, and I may say not very longingly for final orders: but about 5 this evening they came for us to move immediately. I am very glad that I do not have to go along as this is an awful night to be out without shelter; it is pretty cold & raining. There has been pretty hard fighting as we could hear the artillery & musket firing quite plainly [This is known as the Battle on Morton's Ford, Virginia, fought on February 6, 1864]. so you see it is not so very far from us. The report this evening is that the Rebels have fallen back. Just about dark the firing was terrific. We have all our things packed & loaded on the wagon. The whole division train is at Div. Hd. Qrs. as it is not thought improbable that Moseby will make a dash on the R.R. while the troops are gone. At least there appears to be a good deal of fear in that direction. I have not been able to learn if our men made the attack or not. But from what I hear they did - as it was not known exactly what Rebel force is in our front: it is thought Longstreet has been reinforced from Lee's army.

I have got back to the Regt. as Lt. Lamb has been relieved from his duties as Brigade Commissary and as I have just finished my papers; I had fancied [a] very easy & pleasant time for a few weeks, but if the army commences to shove around already it will surely be going from bad to worse.

Hope to hear from you all soon. My best wishes to all. I know that under the circumstances you will excuse the brevity of this.

I still am
Your Son & Brother
Rufus.

Dear Sister,

I this evening received your & Julie's letters, of the 8th and 10th inst. I was very glad to hear that you are all well. I was very much surprised that you had not heard from me for so long a time as I wrote soon after receiving your last, but suppose that my letter was lost somewhere in the Post Office department, but perhaps you may have received it since.

My health still continues to be very good, and I think I may say that the general health of the Regiment is on the improve. In my last I mentioned that I am back once more in my old place in the Regiment. I have finished all my papers belonging to the "Brigade Office" and now have very little to do, and plenty of time to do it in; in fact sometimes I hardly know what to do with myself. I had a notion once to send for some tools to work with but as it is getting pretty late I have concluded not to. Things go on in about the same way every day, which makes subjects to write about very scarce. I very seldom get outside of our Brigade; in fact the weather is not very inviting, as it is pretty cold and stormy; the wind today is very high. Yesterday there was quite a time on dress parade in the 8th Pa Vols. & 10th N.Y. Vols. as the Corps Adjutant General & Corn. together with their Ladies visited them, the Regiments were both very neatly fixed up. This morning "Cordie" the Q.M. Sergt. & myself started for Culpepper to visit one of our former associates; had a very pleasant ride until we were about a mile from the town, when we met him coming down to see us, so we right about faced and came back.

There is a good deal of talk about the reorganization of this Army and consolidating the Regiments to twenty four ____ and each. There is a good deal of trembling among the "strap" gentlemen, as if the Regiments are consolidated a good many of them will have to be discharged. I don't know [what] will be done with us boys belonging to the commissioned staff in that case. However I think such will not be the case for a while anyway.

I suppose the joy among those who have friends in the 51st is unbounded [The 51st Ohio re-enlisted January 1, 1864, and later arrived at Columbus on February 10 on veteran leave of thirty days]. I should very much like to see the boys. I suppose some of them will have great stories to tell, about the war. Give all of them who should inquire after me, a soldiers & brothers best wishes. No doubt they will have a pleasant time. Some of the Veterans of this army, came back before their 30 days expire. They say they get homesick for the fields, and their companions in the defense of the Alter of Freedom. I should like very much to hear and see, if not assist in your Entertainment. I hope your anticipation will be more than realized in every way. You must give me very minute particulars of the whole performance. How are the recruiting agents getting along? I suppose Tuscarawas County will be able to fill her whole quota of the 500,000. I'd like to see them draft that number besides the veterans. Do you think the R.R. scheme is going to succeed? How is the furnace, Bank, and foundry getting along? I suppose this is the last grand struggle to bring Dover out. How is business in the shop? How is the gold pen trade? I have had several requests to send for some. If you could give me an idea of the prices of the different kinds, perhaps I could sell a few. I guess I'd better close hoping soon to hear from you one and all, believe me as still

Your affectionate
Brother and Son
Rufus.

Dear Folks at Home,

As I am alone this afternoon in my tent, I have decided to devote a part of my time to the pleasant task of answering your last very interesting letter, which I received day before yesterday. I was very much afraid something was the matter at home as it had been so long since I had heard from either you or any other friends in Dover, but on the receipt of yours was very much gratified to learn that you are all well and enjoying yourselves. I came to the conclusion that the delay was caused by Addie's waiting until after the "Grand Entertainment" so that she could give me a full history of the event of the evening. Your explanatory program was very satisfactory - it gave me a very good idea of the entire performance. The greatest surprise (to me) was, Rose Herbold's singing a solo.

I am glad that the society realized such a nice little sum, as I am sure it will be properly disposed of especially since the "presidential chair" is so creditably filled. Both the Sanitary and Christian Commissions have quite extensive depots at Brady Station, and I believe are doing a great deal of good to both the well & sick. They are looked up to by the soldiers as grand institutions; they can get almost any little article (of use) from the Sanitary C. such as pins, needles, envelopes, &c, &c. - the principle field for the Christian C. is in the shape of Religious books and papers; almost every Sunday the Chaplain visits the quarters with a lot of the latter, which he gets from the principal depot.

Now a little in regard to the Army. This week has been one of a good deal of excitement. On Thursday our Division was reviewed by our Corps commander "Major General French". It was a grand sight, as the day was very pleasant; besides there were a good many ladies present, which is quite an item here in this Army. As the Division marched past the General he gave the 3rd Brigade the praise for good marching & cleanliness. By the way our Division is called "French's Pets" by the 1st & 2nd Divisions.

On Friday afternoon, our regiment was ordered out for picket; in the evening we learned that 5000 extra pickets had been sent out; as Lee had presented a ____ front. We commenced to think that something was afoot - on Saturday the idea was formed by the entire 6th Army Corps being put in motion for the front. I went out to the R.R. to see them pass. I wish you could have seen it; the Snake like columns, glistening bayonets, and the "Starry banner of our Union," winding over the hills made a grand and picturesque picture. I can't tell you how it looks and makes me feel. But to return from my wonderings. We do not know where they went to, but rumor says our advance has penetrated as far as Madison Court House and found no Rebels. One thing is certain there has been no artillery fighting yet, and it appears to be the general impression that the Rebels are leaving Virginia. Our old Lt. Col. Wm. H. Harlan [Discharged for disability February 16, 1864] paid us a visit this week (he is now out of the service) - we ( Cordie & myself) sent our horse with him to Washington to sell, as we were afraid - not being allowed horses ourselves - he would be taken from us as soon as the army got in motion, and then we would get nothing for him. I intend to buy some old critter if I can for myself, as I don't believe I could stand very much marching.

We are all looking very anxiously for the Paymaster, as we have not been paid for four months. I bought myself a cheap violin the other day, to amuse myself with. I wrote some time ago that Julie was perfectly welcome to the use of the one I have at home but I want him to take good care of it; as I think it is pretty hard to beat. I wish Julie would ask George Crites to copy the air of the piece of music he spoke of that they played at the concert and send to me, as the only trouble I have now is the lack of something to practice. Tell him I will answer his letter this week. I have not heard from Thedie for a long time. I wonder why he don't write, I hope there's nothing the matter. I wrote Frank Rickert to send me a small pocket Photograph Album in which I want to keep your pictures.

Enclosed you will find a photograph of our present Lt. Col. formerly Major, which Addie can keep for me. He is quite a fine man, but I am sorry to say that I think he thinks a little too much of Vallandingham. Of course I don't care about having anything said about it. I wish you would send me two no. 5 & no. 4 pens in silver holders, one each of the 1st and 2nd Quality, and one no. 6 first quality, as I think I can dispose of them when we are paid. about medium in regard to stiffness and softness. About like the one you sent me.

I guess you had better send only two silver holders - one for no. 5 size & one for no. 4. As it is getting pretty late I guess I'd better stop. I am well. My best wishes to all.

I remain
Your Son & Brother
Rufus

Dear Folks at Home,

I should have answered your letter several days ago but I have had a good deal to do the last week. I was kept from writing. I was very much surprised to hear that you had not heard from me for so long a time as I think I have written almost every week. It was however a great gratification that you did not suspend [writing] on account of not hearing from me. While I think of it, I would merely ask if you ever got a "Company Memorial" which I sent a month ago by mail?

Well I suppose you have seen the different notices in the papers in regard to the reorganization of this army. The thing is all done I guess at least as far as I am concerned. We (126th) are now a part of the 2nd Brigade 3rd Division of the 6th Army Corps. Brig. Gen. Russell is our Brigade Commander, Brig. Gen. Prince Division comd., Major General Sedgwick commands the Corps. Our Brigade now consists of 126th, 110th, 122nd Ohio Regiments, 6th Maryland, 67th and 138th Penna. Col. Smith is back with the Regiment again. The changes created a good deal of grumbling among the staff officers in the various Brigades that were broken up. The day Col. Smith was ordered back to his Regiment, he notified his staff that he would have an auction that night of "gold lace &c." also a few staff positions which would undoubtedly go very cheap.

Last Tuesday an order came round that we would have to move camp nearer to the 6th A.C. but as it rained very hard the next day the order was countermanded. On Thursday however we did move; had a pretty nice day for it; got things pretty well fixed up before night; we are now on the west side of the R.R. about 3½ miles from Brandy Station in the camp formerly used by the 17th Maine. The locality of our present camp is far preferable to the one we left, as the ground is much higher. We found very good shanties, but rather small. Taking the thing entire I think we as a Regiment are much better fixed than we ever were in the old camp. On Friday we had quite a snow storm, and (as I have to issue every other day) before I got through issuing my feet got wet, I took quite a cold and have not felt well ever since. I hope to be all right in a day or two again. It appears to be the general impression that active operations will commence before very long.

I heard it said that the Army of the Potomac is to filled up to 300000 men; if that is done I think Richmond will be taken this summer, (if ever) but the killed will be counted by the thousands. Gen. Grant will have to remember that the best army of the Confederacy is in front of him commanded by one, if not the best, General on the Continent of America.

Addie says she is afraid her letters are uninteresting, when she writes about the changes in town. Such is not at all the case - anything that happens at home, in Dover or the county around, of any kind is of interest to me. I hope Father will receive the appointment of delegate as I am sure it will do him good to get away from home a while, especially if he goes to Bethlehem, no doubt he would enjoy himself, if he goes before the army moves perhaps he would find time to come down & see me.

Thedei seems to be in very good spirits and I think he likes city-life better every day. The Dover boys are all well I believe. I hope this will find you all in good health.

Best wishes to you & all

I remain
Your Son and Brother
Rufus

P.S. I wish you would immediately have me a...[the rest of this post script is missing]

Dear Folks at Home,

I will now make an effort to write you a few lines in answer to yours of the 10th. I was glad to hear you were all in reasonable good health, and am glad to be able to say the same of myself: the health of the Regiment is also much better than sometime ago. We naturally attribute the improvement to the change of camp.

We have had a great deal of wet weather during the week; which naturally makes it very disagreeable to me in particular, as it generally happens to rain the day I have to issue rations.

Since last I wrote the symptoms of a move have increased materially; first all ladies have been ordered to leave, any found within the lines of the army after the 12th subjecting the officer protecting them to be arrested, Second, the Sutlers had to leave before the 16th (yesterday) or if found inside the lines will have their goods confiscated, & themselves presented with proper implements to work on entrenchments. Our sutler left on the 15th - left his books and accounts with me for settlement, promising to pay me for doing the job. Third, there has been a general inspection and all extra baggage has been ordered to be shipped to Washington for storage. Fourth it is said that the Reserve Artillery is being moved towards the Front.

Lt. Gen Grant was to have reviewed the 6th A.C. yesterday, but it rained nearly all day - it was postponed. I have not seen him yet, although we have heard a good deal about what he has done and is going to do.

There has been a good deal of fuss along the R.R. lately; bridges have been washed away, and guerillas have been committing depredations. Brentsville, where a Capt. McKee was killed & two Lieutenants wounded, is the place I saw the fight at Bristow Station from last fall, when we were retreating from Culpepper.

Robert Just Canal Dover, Ohio

Your Son & Brother
Rufus

My dear Sister and Brother,

I have received several letters from you since I last wrote. Your letters are very interesting to me especially at this time when we are in the midst of the din & carnage of an almost continuous battle.

I was very glad to learn that Father, Ma & Genie had made a safe trip and were enjoying themselves so well. Also glad to learn that the housekeepers at home were getting along so finely. I hope you both may keep well & continue to do well.

I have the satisfaction of reporting that I am in most excellent health. I also saw the Regiment yesterday. Saw Jim Moffit, Wm. Kaldenbach, John Fleckner, &c. they were all well & said if any of their folks asked about them you should tell them so, also Frederick Pfeifer. It is generally represented now that we are besieging the Rebels & Richmond; there is almost a continuous fire kept up along the lines. Four days ago the Rebels charged our lines in front of the 2nd A.C. about 7 P.M. and were repulsed with heavy loss. From our Park, which is about 4 miles from the front, we could see the flash of every gun & hear the rattle of the muskets very plain.

Several times that I have been out to issue, the Rebels have thrown shells within a short distance of the wagons. Last night I staid all night with Lt. Lamb near near Army Hd Qrs. as it is most awful dark, through these pine woods after night & I was pretty tired and sleepy [?]. They have had several flags of truce up for an hour at a time in order to give time to bury the dead and get the wounded out of the road. There are a good many men killed by the Sharp Shooters on both sides. We had a Lieut . of "A" Co. killed day before yesterday by one of them [Rufus is probably referring to 1st Lieut. Henry Hixon, killed June 6, 1864] . Our men are very busy employed in building fortifications for heavy guns. There was a great deal of artillery shooting going on this evening.

It is said that some of the hundred day men are coming to the front. We are about 8 miles from White House Landing with the trains. What do the bloods think of the new call? What has become of George C.? I wrote him a long letter & have never heard a word from him since? I also wrote to Sallie & have not heard from her. I suppose however she is so much engaged she has not much time to spare since she is married. Write often as you can & give me all the news about Dover & home. Give all the boys my best wishes, but most especially the Girls, that happen to still remember

Your Brother
Rufus

"On the twenty-seventh day of June, 1864, he (Rufus) was commissioned First Lieutenant by Gov. Brough, and was assigned to company G, being the company with which he enlisted, and was the commanding officer of that company until his death."

Dear Brother and Sister,

Although I have not heard from you in a long time, I thought as I now have a little time, I would send you a few lines; as I suppose you are very anxious to hear from me.

I am happy to say that I am quite well. I was out to the Regiment yesterday; the boys are in the very best of spirits notwithstanding the severe marching they have had to do: they are within shelling distance of the city of Petersburg.

Before I forget it, I wish you would send me a few Postage Stamps when you write. I will also say for the benefit of some of the friends of boys in the Regt. that I yesterday saw, John Fleckner, Christian Hoelzer, John Engel, Wm. Kaldenbach, Jim Moffit, and Fred Pfeifer - they are all right.

I will now give you a short history of my travels since the Army has left Cold Harbor. While the Army was there the wagon trains were about three or four miles in the rear towards White House. I had to make a trip to the Regt. about every other day to issue rations - sometimes the Rebel shot and shell [was] flying pretty close and fast. When the Army moved from that place, the wagons followed. The day we started, the ration wagons took the front of the Corps train - as I was on foot I walked a good piece ahead of the train so that I could rest occasionally; I got several miles ahead & stopped at New Kent Court House to wait until the train caught up; but after looking a good while I came to the conclusion that perhaps the train had gone some other road, so I started back & finally caught up to the rear wagons; and as no trains besides ours was on that road, ours traveled very fast, so I got completely played out and had made up my mind to stop when as luck would have it the whole train stopped also for the night. I hunted up the Regiment wagon & staid with it that night (went about 20 miles that day). The next morning moved as far as the Chicahominy River, where we had to stay until about 3 A.M. on the morning of June 15th. The River at the place we crossed is very wide & we were delayed as we had to wait so long until we could get pontoons enough to bridge it. About 11 0'clock of the 15th we caught up to the troops; who were then near the James River. I issued rations, & concluded to stay with Lt. Lamb, (who has charge of the Hd. Qs teams & stays with the troops) after supper we went fishing at the James River - Caught 3 eels [sic] of pretty good size. June 16th the troops started & marched about a mile before 9 A.M. They then halted & threw up entrenchments. In the afternoon I marched along with the Regiment down to the River - we got on board of transports at Wilcox Landing expecting to stop at City-Point - when Gen. Butler has his Hd. Qrs. - but then the Corps got orders to take us up to the Point of Rocks on the Appomattox [sic] River. When we finally landed about 12 (or midnight). Got a little coffee & laid down about an hour. When we again started for Bermuda Hundred & the fortifications between the two Rivers. Did not have to march more than 4 miles today - about midnight were again ordered out. I went along with the troops across the fortifications saw them form in lines of battle & get ready for a fight. Heard Col. Smith say we were to support a charging column when I concluded & did go back as I thought I was exposing myself when I could do no good. When I got awake found the troops all back the charge having been given up. But I must close for this time. I saw Lt. Gen. Grant & Abe Lincoln this evening. Write soon. My best wishes to all. There is heavy fighting going on all the time. We have not got Petersburg yet, but can shell it all to pieces if we wanted to.

Your brother,

Rufus

My Dear Folks at Home,

I will this morning write a few lines before the trains go back to the Ferry.

I was very much surprised & shocked on opening your letter to hear of the sudden death of our dear Ma [Rufus is actually referring to his step-mother, Mary Jane Bleck; his natural mother, Maria Elizabeth "Lizette" Bleck died in 1855]. I was not at all prepared for such a change in the family circle; I had just received the letter of Father the day before, & although he spoke of the severity of the disease, still it hardly seemed possible that the next mail would again leave me a motherless boy. Poor Charlie, what a blow to him it must be.

I suppose he could not get home to see her; I will try and write to him oftener as he will need all the sympathy we can give him. I was very, very glad to learn that you my dear Sister, had the helping heart and hands of dear Lottie, to minister to the wants of ma.

I hope and pray that the probable sickness of Father which Addie spoke of, has not been verified, & that he may be spared to us all for a long time.

How do you (Addie) intend to manage house-keeping? If Auntie could only be with you; but she needs rest herself & is getting old. Is Lattie still with you?

It is useless for me to offer any more of my poor expressions of feeling so we will drop the very painful subject hoping that we may really realize that "it is all for the best."

I am in very good health. We yesterday moved camp about 300 yards in order to get more room, as the Regiment has increased very much within the last 3 weeks. We now have a very fine camp & will have it in very good order if we do not have to leave this place; which by the way, we are at present very much afraid of as it is said Lt. Gen. Grant has come up to visit this department. We are ready to go but would much rather stay. I don't think there are many who would like to be started towards Petersburg. The Rebel statements that they have been whipping the 6th A.C. every few days are altogether untrue as we have not had even a skirmish with them since we have been at this camp. They pitch on the 8th & 19th A.C. once in a while, but they have been very careful to stay away from us, so far at least.

Well I hear the wagons rattling so I must close in a hurry. Hoping you are all well & will write as often as you can to

Your Son & Brother
Rufus

To learn what happened to Rufus the next day, we return to his brother's biography:

In the severe battle of Opequon [also known as Third Winchester], on the nineteenth day of September, 1864, while gallantly leading his company in an assault on the enemy's lines, he received his mortal wounds, by three balls from the enemy piercing him in quick succession, one penetrating the hand, another the neck, and the third the abdomen; either of the latter were fatal wounds. Immediately after receiving these wounds, our forces were obliged to temporarily fall back, when he was heard by some of his company, asking them to take him along and not leave him to fall into the hands of the rebels, but when some of them attempted to carry him back, he said, "it's no use boys, I'm going to die, save yourselves."

Kind friends removed two rings from the hand that was wounded, a small breastpin, his sword and pocketbook, which was saturated with the life blood of our young hero. He was rudely covered with a blanket and left to die the death of a soldier, not alone, for the dead and dying were not a few, but no father, sister, or brother, was there to minister consoling words or deeds. Among the many lives that were sacrificed to achieve that victory, none were more nobly offered up. The body was buried where it fell, without any mark to designate the place, and rests in an unknown grave. As the dead, known and unknown, were removed from the field of Opequon to the National Cemetery at Winchester, it is probable his body lies in that cemetery.

---

Part I, Letters 1-10 [October 12, 1862-May 25, 1863]
Part II, Letters 11-20 [June 4, 1863-December 9, 1863]
A Brief Biography of Rufus Ricksecker
126th OVI Home
Top of page

---